 JCP Ichida on latest events in China Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi on April 11 commented on the latest "anti-Japan demonstrations" in China and related issues. Ichida's statement at the press conference in the Diet is as follows: Refrain from resorting to violence to express opinions The JCP disagrees with the use of violence as means of persuading others regardless of opinions or principles. Also, in view of present Japan-China relations, both sides must keep calm in analyzing the matter based on the facts. The core issue that underlies the latest affair is the Japanese government's attitude concerning the war waged by Japan. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Tens of millions of people were killed in the wars of aggression by Japan, Germany, and Italy. Drawing lessons from these tragedies and resolving that such wars of aggression must not be repeated, the world founded the United Nations. The U.N. Charter confirms the principles of resolving international disputes through peaceful and diplomatic means and refraining from threatening with force as well as the use of force. Japan was accepted by the international community after establishing the new Constitution declaring the renunciation of war and non-maintenance of war potentials, which marked a further step beyond the U.N. Charter. A remorse for its war of aggression and a pledge to make no more war were the promise Japan was requested to make in order to return to the international community. Remorse for the war of aggression was to be Japan's starting point after WWII However, far from expressing remorse for the war of aggression, the current prime minister repeatedly visits Yasukuni Shrine, a central ideological institution that supported the war of aggression and enshrined class-A war criminals after the war. Some exhibitions actually glorifying the war are displayed there. The prime minister has continued to visit the shrine. The government has approved a history textbook justifying the war as "one for survival and self-defense," thus making no critical reflection on the war of aggression. Such statements and policies show the government's lack of or rather hostility toward Japan's international pledge made after the war. To resolve the differences between Japan and China, it is necessary to put an end to the arrogant and belligerent attitude of the Koizumi Cabinet. China should avoid mixing up past and present questions The JCP also would like to request China to refrain from mixing the issues of the past war of aggression and the present-day issues. Japan is not attacking China at present. Also, the JCP would like to ask China to distinguish a handful of Japanese from the general public. We regard it improper to resort to indiscriminate violence in order to achieve certain objectives. While these problems are still to be solved, the JCP will keep a calm attitude in dealing with the matter. (end) |